Thank you for the opportunity to volunteer with the Celanese International Impact Program (CIIP). I was not really sure what to expect, but as we gathered at our home base, I realized that these 10 people from across the company are members of my Celanese family. We all share common goals, values, struggles and culture. I believe we all made lasting friendships during our time together.

I want to thank Celanese from the bottom of my heart for allowing me the privilege of participating in the Celanese International Impact Program (CIIP) in New Delhi, India. Celanese sent a great team of people who are truly committed to making an impact on the lives of those less fortunate.

Conditions in India are much different than what we are used to here in the United States, and yet we all adapted readily and easily knowing we were there to be of service. We dove into the culture and experienced the good and the bad. We were able to tour and see many amazing sights, but we also worked hard to make sure we could fulfill our obligation at our assignments.

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the 2016 Celanese International Impact Program (CIIP). It was a rewarding and humbling experience. My time in India allowed me to learn about another culture while giving some of my education and experience to help enhance a little part of their world. I was partnered with Susan Day and we were tasked with not only teaching conversational English to a group of women in a sewing class, but to also elevate their self-esteem and confidence.

Really, I am allowed to go to India? India. I hear and read a lot about it, so you think you know what to expect. But, you have no idea.

My questions: What is expected of me? How are the Celanese workmates? How does the food taste? What is our lodging like?

First meeting: From five different countries, one after another, my workmates arrived in India. All we knew was we’d be in a foreign country, all with the same mission. Two days later we felt like we’ve known them for years.

I want to say thank you for the amazing opportunity I had to participate in the 2016 Celanese International Impact Program (CIIP) trip to New Delhi, India. I’m so proud to work for a company that is really engaged with the community and has good values.

During my two weeks in New Delhi I had the opportunity to bond with eleven exceptional fellow Celanese employees from around the world and learn about their experiences, culture and beliefs. The Cross Cultural Solutions (CCS) staff’s hospitality made New Delhi feel like home. Each day we learned together about the Indian culture, religion and education.